It has been a while since a ‘report’ as such has featured on our district page. I’ve been so acutely busy ringing recently, I just had to get down in words what has been going on in district ringing since 2019 new year!

As many of you will be aware, I have been bitten by both the lesser-spotted quarter peal bug, and the greater striped ringing fever. It is wonderful to be given so many opportunities to gain valuable rope-time and partake in something as close to sporty as I shall ever get. (Apparently gossiping is not an Olympic event).

January saw the re-installment of the district Quarter Peal Club hosted by our Vice-Chairman, Polly Osborne at Minstead. It was a valuable opportunity to treble at length to a minor method (St. Clement’s). Here I happened upon a friendly and familiar face to me now, Jack Pease, who has often conducted in the past, but tonight was having a rest and Jimmy Hodkin took the reigns.

Jack was most kind, complimentary, and remarked that trebling to minor seemed “a bit too much within my comfort zone”, and insisted that I ring treble to a quarter-peal of triples in the near future with him, and also attend the minor course Jack was running at Bere Regis.

I felt much happier leaving Minstead tower, than I did arriving, partly because I managed to arrive at Minstead village in the pitch black forest in heaps of time, but then got dreadfully lost within the village for half an hour, and ended up in a strange place called Emery Down, and was then horridly late. Not the greatest first impression really of myself, appearing to new people, gasping from running at the top of a ladder poking my head through a trap door.

Jack’s Bob Minor Course on the Friday morning was a bright and early start for me, even the New Forest ponies were still sleeping instead of trying to get into my rubbish bins. We headed to Bere Regis, to a delightful ring of six that went very majestically. Was a good learning curve to ring at a more relaxed and steadier pace. I started the course mainly trebling where I felt secure, but as the morning progressed, and as I got to know the band a bit more, I ventured round the circle ringing plain courses on the 3 and 4, and eventually a touch. I did try the 5 but alas it was a step to far turning in a much heavier bell to method work.

I came away from Bere Regis course refuelled with plenty of kindling to take back with me to my home tower, and many useful tips and tricks, handed down from our brave leader (Jack) and the other helpers. It was a really relaxed atmosphere too which lended itself to a great learning experience.

Saturday lunchtime saw yet another quarter peal at Sacred Heart, Bournemouth in celebration of Kim Matthew’s retirement from her position as Librarian of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. I shall fast forward to the shock I was in after the quarter peal had finished, when I truly discovered what ‘splicing methods’ actually meant! I can only compare it to when school used to make me attempt the hurdles…you just have to keep going, even if you knock them all down! I understood splicing methods to be a few methods rung one after the other after several touches/courses of each method, NOT methods running concurrently, and switching to and fro like an over-excited American pin-ball machine! Ross made an amazing job of calling this complex quarter, which I can only imagine akin to being like reciting the Bible from memory…..backwards. I was most fortunate to have Angie Jasper by my side on the 4 sorting my stumbles out very swiftly and efficiently.

From Sacred Heart, I had to hot foot it to Christchurch Priory, for our annual district meeting. Here I had been roped in (excuse the pun), to playing the little box organ for the Evensong service in the Lady Chapel. It was a very special atmosphere, especially as the incredible acoustics in there took the little organ and accompanied singing into the rafters. I wish they would stop putting carpets down in churches. Kills acoustics! I faced two problems here. One that the organ had been placed next to the ringers tea table that had enough cake and sandwiches to fulfil even Paddington Bear, and had all been thoroughly wrapped in foil so having a sneaky sausage roll from the kitchen of Rob Skerton, mid service, was impossible. The second problem was the lady that pulled on my arm during the exit voluntary, to stop me playing, which I dutifully did as I expected there to be an emergency…no such luck…it was an announcement about the toilet, and that vegetarian sandwiches were located on a separate table. At least that meant this year the egg and marmite sandwiches were nowhere near the salmon paste! I was also so pleased to matriculate from Acting Webmaster to Webmaster. I was really very touched when so many raised their hands when asked for nominations. I’m very much looking forward to arranging the district outing, and the skittles evening post striking competition at Fawley.

The next day was the forboding quarter peal of Grandsire Triples, and was confirmed by the band around me the evening before. Off I headed to St. Michael’s Southampton in my Mystery Machine (ongoing joke, as you never know where you’ll end up….especially when I leave the handbrake off and head up tower). St. Michael’s really is a fascinating place indeed. Jack shoo’d me up the wooden spiral that winds its way through the innards of the organ (definitely needed going over with my DustBuster TM- poor pipes), and I entered the poshest, loftiest and most spacious ringing chamber I have ever been in. I later found out that the church is the only medieval structure left within the city walls of Southampton, and that the Luftwaffe used it as a mapping point to their targets, so it never got bombed!

The band were all incredibly friendly and supportive. St. Michael’s has a gorgeous ring of 10, with a lovely bright Gillet (bell founders) sound. As a musician, sound is a vital factor to me, and it was a great help to hear each clear bell as I coursed up and down. We only used the 8 bells for triples, would have loved to hear all 10 going. The void across the ringing chamber floor between myself and the tenor was such that I thought I was going to have to send up smoke signals to communicate! Again, it was another tower I left from with a spring in my step, chased back to the Mystery Machine by winter’s icy blast from the docks! Mother told me to put a hat on….why are they always right?

Finally, on Tuesday, I hared across the county to Cerne Abbas for the Hampreston Monthly Quarter Peal Day. This month’s was arranged superbly by Angie Jasper. It’s an incredible set up. I’m unsure what the collective noun for bellringers is, but we all gather in an area with our rosters, and head off to various towers, interchanging bands, some ringing first attempts, crazy methods (Percy’s Tea Strainer Triples, Mental Block Minor etc), practice conducting, trebling, tenoring, ringing inside the method, and break for lunch, then do it all again at churches in deepest countryside for the afternoon shift. Seven quarter peals were rung that day between about 15 people. Incredible.

I feel very honoured to be made welcome into this group in my early career as a ringer, and there’s always something for me to have a go at and push me. Finally managed to negotiate my way through 1260 changes of St Nicholas Doubles (failed attempt at Christmas), and the afternoon shift saw me tenoring at Hilton to Eynesbury Doubles. Sadly we didn’t get the attempt. Really tricky bells, plain bearings, and keeping the tenor at the back and ‘up’ was a tough job, seeing use of blue inhaler. Just to round the day off in true Murdock-Saint panache, I managed to fly base over apex down the last part of the tower stairs, my ankle currently doing a wonderful impression of the aurora borealis….well worth it however. Driving home the 40 miles was interesting on the clutch, fortunately the petrol station had bagged ice for parties, which I strapped to the ankle with a towing rope. Even though we did not get the attempt, we used the time to ring through a few different touches of the method, and it was great learning experience in handling a big and difficult tenor!

I would like to thank especially the following people in no particular order:

Kim Matthews, Polly Osborne, Ross Bradley, Angie & Mike Jasper, Sally Jenkins, Jimmy Hodkin, Jack Pease, for arranging these incredible opportunities in particular for new ringers. The bell ringing community is really like a second family. I must also thank my home tower teachers, David Lay, John and Liz Davey, Tim Kettle for their unending patience, understanding and time.

If anyone knows of someone that would benefit from a Stedman Doubles practice on Saturday 11th November 2017 at Herriard from 10:30 – 13:00 please would you pass on this information and ask them to get in touch with me as there is available space for an extra student.

Following Monday’s very successful District Practice at Sparsholt, I give you notice of our next training morning, Saturday 8th July at Micheldever, 0930-1130 a.m., on ringing and calling Stedman and Erin doubles.

Please let Jenny Watson know if you wish to come on the course, or if you can offer to help, either to fill in or stand behind.

Many congratulations to Erin Ingram (Milford) on scoring her first Quarter Peal. This was the first time that the Ingram Family have rung a quarter peal together. Andy and Sallie are long-standing members of the Guild Education Committee. Isla (who rang the treble) has now scored three quarter peals.

Sacred Heart Bournemouth are starting up a “Method Monday” on the 1st Monday of each month, methods will be similar to the minor method practiced at Sopley each month, so you can get even more practice?

March Method Monday will be Double Court Minor and touches of St Simons Doubles. Practice is from 5.45 – 7.15 followed by beer!.

When I had an email yesterday afternoon confirming that we had a doubles band for a Wednesday lunchtime QP attempt and nothing had been mentioned about a special method I imagined something safe and easy; maybe Grandsire Doubles… but that email was soon followed by one from Duncan saying Thornborough Slow Course Doubles but instead of the bob being a Wallflower Extreme we are going to ring the variation which just plain hunts for the bob. To be fair he did give a description of how each bell is affected at the bob. Easy then.

It didn’t seem too difficult as I thought it through but the minute the treble said “Treble’s going” my mind went blank. But a few rounds and panic over and we got started. We all had a few hiccups along the way but yet again we managed to never all go wrong at once and it didn’t seem long before Duncan called “That’s All!” So another first scored.

It was at this point that Duncan said we could name it because the variation had not been previously rung. There were a few suggestions ;”On your pushang” was probably something we should have said to Duncan when he suggested yet another leap into the world of new methods; Sarnia was a possibility but we eventually decided on Donkey Doubles. Well we were stubborn enough to get through the method despite a few trips here and there.

And for anyone missing the connection, Guernsey folk are proud to be called Donkeys. The origin of this seems to be uncertain but we are certainly stubborn.

On Wednesday, 8 February 2017 in 47minGuernsey, CI Town Church Tenor: 11cwt1320 Donkey Doubles

Just a reminder ……. the Education Committee’s all-day course on Grandsire Doubles and Triples takes place on Saturday 4th March, based at Shedfield. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 16th February – only ten days away – and there are only a few places left. Places are filled on a “first come first served” basis so, if you have been thinking about this, it would be an idea to get your application in as quickly as possible. (The Raising and Lowering in Peal morning, for example, filled up well before the closing date and has a waiting list!).

If there are others in your tower who have also been thinking about this, or who you think would enjoy the day and benefit from it – please give them a nudge. I’m more than happy to help with any queries, either by email or by ‘phone 01962 886939.

The next full Education Day. This will be on Saturday 4th March, based at Shedfield Reading Room, to study Grandsire Doubles and Grandsire Triples. Posters and application forms (both Word and pdf versions) are below. Details have already been sent out to your District Secretaries for onward transmission to your towers as the closing date for the receipt of applications is 16th February. As always, the day will be a mixture of theory and practical ringing.

If you haven’t been to an Education Day before – rest assured these are relaxed days when you will never be pushed into doing anything for which you are not ready; each student is an individual with different experience and different needs, and our aim is to give you help at exactly the level you need; in fact, you will probably learn a huge amount by chatting with the other students over a pub lunch, and find they have the same queries that you have been frightened to raise!!

At the same time, if it is appropriate, you might like to think about the “Raising and Lowering in Peal” morning at Bishopstoke on 11th February. Places are filling up and the closing date (28th January) is only 2½ weeks away. If you have an Annual District Meeting on that day, our training session will finish sharp at 12.00 noon so you will have plenty of time for lunch before going off to your meeting.

We hope to have a member of the Education Committee at as many ADMs as possible to talk about Education Days and to answer any questions, and I am always on the end of the phone or email to help with any queries.

If this reaches any ringers with a little more experience who feel they can help on either of these days – and even a half day is very much appreciated – do please contact Sallie Ingram Remember, we have all been learners in the past …….!

Six of us turned up at the Town Church at lunchtime today for a quarter peal. We hadn’t decided on a method so tossed a few ideas around. We had a minor band so tried to choose a method… then somebody had the bright idea of trying Stedman Doubles. Fine with me because I’d never found anyone willing to call a QP of Stedman for me.

And it went really well; a few trips but at no point did two of us doze off at the same time. That’s been on my wish list for many years now and I’m pleased to have scored it with an all Town Church band, in fact, the first by a Town Church band.

The ropes were pretty stiff and damp and one ringer soldiered on despite the pain of Ringing in the wRong bRa!

On Wednesday, 1 February 2017 in 43min

Guernsey, CI Town Church Tenor: 11cwt

1260 Stedman Doubles

Sue Le Feuvre

Paul Lawrence

Sue Park

Jane Le Conte

Duncan Loweth (C)

Judith Lainé

First in method: 1
First QP of Stedman Doubles: 2
First in method as conductor
First in method with all Town Church band.

PRACTICAL RINGING SESSIONS

GROUP A — Improving foundation skills.

Have you reached the stage in your early ringing career where even if you understand the theory of what you are meant to be doing you are finding doing it an entirely different matter? If so this group is for you. Students in this group will work on their individual ringing skills so that they can improve their bell control, listening and ropesight. This may require time working alone on a bell as an individual with the advice of your tutor, as well as ringing with other ringers. Students will also practise raising and lowering a single bell.

GROUP B

A Group for those who can ring Rounds competently and who are ready to take their first steps in call changes and then, possibly, in change ringing on 3 or 4 bells. If you are in any way doubtful about joining Group C, then join Group B; you will still find something to learn and will have the opportunity to fill in steps in your ringing education you may have missed or not appreciated.

GROUP C

A Group for those wishing to plain hunt on 5. The opportunity to practise on different rings of bells and in different orders both on the treble and “inside” will be provided. The Group will emphasise the skills required for change ringing and will be learning ropesight and considering striking, as an essential preliminary to ringing the treble. Practice may be given at ringing the treble to Bastow, Minimus and Doubles, to “Stedman Quick Sixes” and to Plain Bob Minimus as appropriate, before progressing to ringing the treble to Plain Bob Doubles.

GROUP D

A Group for those who really have ropesight and bell control and are ready to ring the treble to Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Minor. It is intended to progress to ringing the treble to touches in both these methods. A number of other methods may be rung to practise the different rhythm of change ringing with six bells.

GROUP E

A Group for those who are competent in ringing skills as outlined in the above groups and wishing to learn Plain Bob Doubles on an “inside” bell.

GROUP F

A Group for those who are already competent in ringing skills as outlined in the above groups and able to ring touches of Plain Bob Doubles and who wish to learn Plain Bob Minor “inside”. You should be able to treble hunt reliably to touches of Bob Minor before applying for this group; if in any doubt consider applying for Group D.

GROUP G — Grandsire

Starting with Doubles and progressing to Triples with calls. Applicants must be proficient in ringing the treble to Grandsire and be able to ring touches of Bob Doubles “inside” to get the full benefit from this option.

GROUP H — Doubles Beyond Plain Bob & Grandsire

Would you like more variety on Practice Night? Explore Reverse Canterbury, St Simon’s and other methods or variations which contain a number of different ‘works’ which will be useful in your future ringing career.

GROUP I — Beyond Bob Minor

The Group will study and practise several Plain Minor methods (Single / Double Court and Oxford) which introduce many of the building blocks and concepts needed before progressing to Surprise. Methods such as St Clements and Little Bob may also be included. Applicants must be able to ring touches of Plain Bob Minor on an inside bell competently.

GROUP J — Stedman

Starting with Doubles and progressing to Triples with calls and theory on extension to Caters and Cinques. You should be proficient in ringing up to Group G to get full benefit from this option.

GROUP K — Surprise Major

To get the full benefit from this group applicants must be able to ring Plain Bob Major “inside”, be able to ‘treble bob’ proficiently and have some experience of Treble Bob or Surprise Minor. The Group will start with Cambridge Major and move on to Yorkshire.

GROUP L — Calling & Conducting Touches

This Group will start with calling Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles, and progress to Plain Bob and possibly other Minor methods. Students will be actively involved in calling a variety of touches, and will be expected to ring whilst others of the Group are calling. No previous experience of calling is required, but you must be able to ring touches of Grandsire Doubles and Plain Bob Minor “inside” competently.

An enjoyable and rewarding practice night in Southampton last night at St Michael’s with a particularly good half course of Cambridge Royal and a nice touch of 8 spliced surprise major. Lots of other ringing too including Grandsire Triples/Caters, Stedman doubles and 4 spliced (CYNS) surprise major.

Next week, at Bitterne Park, we start our new venture of increasing our 8 bell repertoire, by starting to work through the methods in ‘Smiths 23’. First method is Cray Surprise Major.

Duncan announced at the beginning of today’s practice that he had a plan. He wanted an all boys band to ring one course of plain hunt then add something at the end of it. What he meant was one lead of Plain Bob Doubles. Olivia was included as an honorary boy and was the only one of the band who knew PB doubles. Will had once or twice been guided through a plain course but none of the others had any idea what it was all about. The tenor ringer had never really tried covering before and the treble ringer had never tried ringing to a method. There were only 3 of us to stand behind and guide.
The first couple of attempts weren’t too bad and we progressed a little beyond one lead each time. The last attempt of the day was a triumph; we got to the end of a plain course. It was a bit lumpy but I’ve heard much worse.
The boys were delighted. It was lovely to see that even those who usually mess around all the time were becoming more serious and really trying.
It won’t be long before they’ll be way ahead of me!

In case you are “hovering on the brink” – there is only a week to go before the closing date (29th September) for the receipt of applications for theGuild Education Dayon Saturday 15 October, based at Hawkley, when we will be coveringPlain Bob DoublesandPlain Bob Minor. There are still a few places left but both these groups are filling up fast!

“…a brilliant introduction to Method Ringing. I learned so much about Plain Bob, but also about the more accurate bell handling I needed as I progressed on from Plain Hunt”

Plain Bob Doubles – for those already able to:

Plain hunt confidently on more than one inside bell and

Treble to touches of a doubles method.

Plain Bob Minor – for those who can already ring a plain course of Plain Bob Doubles.

Applications are now open for the first of the Guild Education Committee’s Autumn courses. This will be Plain Bob Doubles and Plain Bob Minor, based at Hawkley, on Saturday 15th October.

I realise this is the holiday season and some towers do not meet in August, but if you could spread the details please to anyone in your tower whom you think would find it helpful, I would be most grateful.

Any queries – let me know. In particular I am always happy to talk to anybody who is not sure what an Education Day involves and who may be hesitant about joining in.

Wickham is holding a special Doubles practice on Thursday 11th August at 7.30. We are hoping to make this special practice a regular feature, in order to give ringers an opportunity to try some less commonly-rung Doubles methods and variations.

All ringers welcome as we will be ringing everything from Plain Hunt to Stedman. August’s special method and method variation will be St Simon’s Bob and Kennington. If time allows we will ring some other variations (see picture for details)

If you would like to support Wickham Ringers, please come along. We would be happy to see you. Parking is available behind the church (entrance in Southwick Road B2177)

Yesterday (Saturday, 23rd July), Newport Minster ringer Darren celebrated his 30th Birthday. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite the day he expected as on coming to Ryde to help us out for an afternoon wedding he suffered a puncture with his van and had to walk 3 miles to ring! Don’t you just love the dedication of all our ringers?

Anyway he’s sorted now, or he will be tomorrow, and tonight we helped him celebrate with a quarter peal and he supplied the chocolate cake! Just love all these birthday’s were helping with at the moment!